Nữ Y Tá Can Trường , The School Nurse Files (2020)

The School Nurse Files is a comedy-horror series produced by Netflix, adapted from the popular fantasy novel School Nurse Ahn Eun Young. Directed by Lee Kyung Mi (The Truth Beneath) and starring Jung Yoo Mi and Nam Joo Hyuk, the six-episode series takes viewers on a bizarre and hilarious journey that is both laugh-out-loud funny and spine-chilling. The uniqueness of this show may not appeal to a wide audience, but its solid execution sets it apart from traditional Korean dramas.

The story revolves around Ahn Eun Young (Jung Yoo Mi),who has had a special ability since childhood - she can see "jellies," which are manifestations of people's desires, greed, and cravings. The more desires and obsessions a person has, the more jellies they produce. These jellies start off as small, beautiful beings but can develop into larger, slimier, and more dangerous entities.

Aware of her unusual gift, Eun Young grows up with the belief that she was born to help others. Currently, she works as a school nurse and protects the students from jellies and supernatural creatures using her unique toy sword and gun. She receives assistance from Hong In Pyo (Nam Joo Hyuk),a Han Chinese teacher who possesses a mysterious aura that makes him immune to jellies and serves as a source of energy for Eun Young.

From the brief description alone, it is clear that The School Nurse Files does not conform to the typical Korean drama format and instead creates a "weird" atmosphere reminiscent of Japanese or Thai films. Once you enter the show, this feeling is further reinforced by its dark cinematography, unpredictable pacing, and cheerful yet eerie music. The most outstanding aspect is its visually stunning graphics, with sharp details despite the gloomy color palette. However, it must be noted that the show is a mishmash of various elements, ranging from horror to fantasy to social commentary, which may overwhelm viewers who prefer a more cohesive and high-quality experience.

The series successfully combines humor and horror, but the only downside is that after watching it, you may feel like you've lost a few brain cells. This humorous observation perfectly sums up The School Nurse Files. The show does not require deep analysis or thought-provoking storytelling; instead, it bombards viewers with a barrage of bizarre and chaotic events. From countless jellies appearing everywhere to awakened giant monsters causing earthquakes, and even students turning into zombie soldiers, the show overwhelms viewers with its bewildering plot.

The main focus of The School Nurse Files is Ahn Eun Young, portrayed by the talented actress Jung Yoo Mi. Compared to her previous roles, Eun Young is much more eccentric and mischievous. She always finds herself in a state of confusion due to the troublesome jellies, displaying expressions that are both captivating and exaggerated, reminiscent of a character from a comic book. Through Jung Yoo Mi's convincing performance, Eun Young becomes a fascinating, humorous, and somewhat endearing character.

As for Nam Joo Hyuk, who was initially a concern regarding his acting skills, he delivers a decent performance that is neither outstanding nor terrible. His character, In Pyo, serves as a support system and a source of consciousness and energy for the female lead. He does not have many challenging emotional scenes or a particularly impressive personal story. However, it cannot be denied that the chemistry between the young actor and his older co-star is relatively good, adding a pleasant touch to a show that is already peculiar and lacks a clear romantic storyline.

Apart from the well-rounded main cast, The School Nurse Files mainly features young and relatively unknown actors who show promise in their roles as students. Each character has their own issues and fears, most of which are convincingly portrayed. It is regrettable, however, that despite the quality of the cast, the show fails to fully develop the characters and lacks emotional connections with the audience.

Overall, The School Nurse Files is definitely not an easy watch, nor does it necessarily appeal to the majority of viewers. The show has a unique and intriguing storyline, but its convoluted plot, shallow character development, and diverse yet confusing aspects prevent it from reaching its full potential. Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that The School Nurse Files dares to experiment with a fantasy theme, injecting a breath of fresh (albeit not necessarily pleasant) air into the somewhat monotonous world of Korean dramas.